Enameled article



20, 1938. .1. T. PENToN ENAMELED ARTICLE.

Filed Feb. 17, 1956 rif/i1.

Patented sept 2o, 193s UNITED vs'rliiss IPATENT oFFlcs ENAMELED ARTICLE Joseph T. Penton, Los Angeles, Calif.

14 Claims.

This invention relatesto vitreous enameled articles such as signs, panels, fittings, fixtures, utensils, etc. A general object of this invention is to provide enameledA articles embodying simple, practical and particularly eiiective means for attaching them to other parts or for connecting handles, knobs, frames or similar members to them.

Much dimculty is usually encountered in attaching vitreous enameled articles to their supports and in securing handles, frames, etc.. to vitreous enameled articles. It has been the usual practice to provide openings in the enameled parts for the reception of screws,'bolts or other securing members for attaching the articles to their supports, for holding the articles assembled or for securing handles, frames and the like to the enameled articles. It is necessary to form or provide the openings in the metal base of an enameled article before applying and :tiring the vitreous enamel, because the openings cannot be formed in the finished vitreous enameled article without cracking and breaking loose the enamel. Whenthe screws, bolts orother securing members passing4 through the openings in an enameled article are tightened down against the vitreous enamel or against washers or grommets engaging the enamel, the enamel adjacent 4the openings is often chipped and broken loose. Further, as the openings must be provided inthe ,metal base of an enameled article before the ap,-

plication and firing of the enamel it is essential that the openings be very accurately' located be# cause they cannot be enlarged without injuring theenamel and the article cannot be bent or strained to align the openings without cracking an'd injuring the enamel.

Another object of this invention is to provide a vitreous enameled article having a connecting or attaching means whereby it may be ilrmiy connected 'to a support or the like or may have a part` rigidly secured to it without danger of cracking, chipping or otherwise injuring its enamel.

Another object of this invention is'to provide a vitreous enameled article having means whereby it may be easily and conveniently `secured in its proper place with relation to other members without requiring the provision oi accurately located openings before it is enameled.

Another object of this invention is to provide a vitreous enameled member or article having an attaching part or parts that may be in the form of a handle, trame, decoration, trimming, or the like, that may be polished, painted or other- (Cl. 189-v34) wise nished as desired. The invention contemplates the provision of one or more attaching parts on an enameled article that may serve solely as a means for facilitatingthe mounting of the article or the connection of other parts to the article without injuring its enamel and that may be shaped, formed and located to also serve as a handle, frame, decoration, trimming or the like capable of being nshed as may be required.

Another object yof this invention is to provide an enameled article having one or more attaching parts welded to its base that may be provided with openings either beiore or after embodiment in the article and that may be bent or shaped as required to serve as a means for attaching the enameled article to a support or as a means for securing a handle, frame or other element to the article Without injuring or endangering the enamel. v i' Another object of this invention is to provide an enameled article of the character mentioned in which the attaching part or parts are weldedv to its base before applying and firing the enamel and that do not in any way interfere with the enameling process.

Another object of this invention 4is to provide an enameled article of the character mentioned in which the attaching part or parts are rustproof, capable of `"resisting high temperature, I

easily welded, capable of being polished and painted and that are malleable so that they may be shaped or formed as desired thereby greatly facilitating the attaching or mounting of the enameled article.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical' preferred forms and applications of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is an elevation view of one form oi the invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 2-2'on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation view of another form of the invention. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 4 4 on Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the projecting portion of the attaching part bent at substantially right angles to the base of thea typical manner of employing the attaching part.

The present' invention is adapted to be applied to or embodied in vitreous enameled objects and articles of various characters and may be employed for various purposes depending upon the character of the enameled'article. In the following detailed disclosure several typical forms of the invention will be disclosed as applied to or embodied in simple panel-like or ,plate-like enameled articles, it being understood that the invention may berembodied in or applied to articlesof various shapes and in some instances may be modified to some-extent because of the shape or character of the articles.

The application or form of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of. the drawing comprises, generally, a body or base I0 having a coatihg or covering of enamel II and one or more attaching parts I2 on the base I0.

The base I0 of the article shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing may be of any size and shape, the size and shape of the base I0 depending, of course, upon the character of the device or article. In the drawing, which is merely illustrative of the'invention, the base I0 is a simple, rectangular plate-like part. The base I0 is formed of iron, it being preferred to form the base I0 of what is known as enameling iron that is readily adhered to by the vitreous enamel. The enamel II preferably covers all the surfaces of the base I0 except those surfaces covered by the attaching parts I2. The enamel coating II which is vitreous enamel is applied by means of vthe well known process which includes the placing of the base I0 in a pickle bath, the applying of a ground coat or bond coat of porcelain enamel to all the exposed surfaces o f the base I0, the firing or vitrifying of'the base coat, the application of colored enamel or designs of colored enamel to one or more surfaces, andv the firing or vitrifying of these colored or design coats of enamel.

In accordance with the form of the invention being described the base I0 is provided with one or more openings I3. The number vof openings I3 provided in the base I Il depends upon the number of attaching parts I2 to be applied to or used on the article. In the typical case shown in the drawing there are four transverse, openings I3 in the base I0, there being one opening I3 in. each corner portion of the base. The openings I3 are drilled or punched in the base I Il before the enamellng process described above. The openings I3 are preferably larger in diameter than the heads of the screwsor securing members intended to be usedv in attaching or mounting the article. As the openings I3 are provided in the base I0`prior to the enamellng process the enamel II coats or covers their walls as clearly shownin Fig. 2 of the drawing.

'I'he parts I2 are provided on the article to facilitate its attachment to a support or the like or t'o facilitate the connecting of members to thev article. In accordance with the broader aspects l of the invention the attaching parts I2 may be provided on either one or both of the principal surfaces of the base I 0. In the simple application ofthe invention shown in the drawing the parts I2 are provided-on what I will term 4the rear surfacebr side I4 of the base I0. The attaching parts I2 are simple plate-like members and may be of square or rectangular outline or of any other desired configuration. The parts I2 are formed of metal and are welded to the `that is malleable so that it may be bent or shaped either before or after the enameling process.

The attaching parts I2 are welded to the rear side I4 of the. base I0 so that they extend across or cover the' rear ends of the openings I3. When the'ground or base coat of enamel is applied to the base I0 it covers or coats the parts I2. During or subsequent to the enamellng process the enamel on the parts I2 may be easily and quickly removed by jarring or striking the parts. As the enamel does not readily adhere to the metal of the parts I2 and very effectively adheres to the enameling iron of the base I0 the enamel may be easily removed from the parts I2 as just described without injuring or endangering the enamel on the base I0. Accordingly, the enamel on the parts I2 may be easily removed after the enamellng process to leave the surfaces of the parts I2 clean and exposed lfor bearing on supports or the like and for engagement by screws or securing members.

In accordance with the invention the parts I2 may be provided with openings I6 to pass or receive securing parts such as screws, bolts or the like. Each part I2 may be provided with an opening I6 to register or communicate with an opening I3 in the base I0. The openings I6 may be punched or drilled in the parts I 2 either before 0r after the welding of the parts to the base I0 or before or after the enameling of the base. In

'instances where the openings I6 must accurately v align with openings in the support or member to which the article is to be attached it may be found desirable to drill the openings I6 in the parts I2 after the enamellng process and when the article is ready to be mounted or attached to its support. The openings I6 are preferably somewhat smaller than the openings I3 so that the heads of the securing members may be received in the openings I3 with clearance and may engage the pa-rts I2 at the bottoms of the openings I3. In the drawing I have shown typical screws Il arranged through the openings I6 to attach the enameled article to a support or the like. The heads of the screws I1 are received in the openings I3 with clearance, that is, they do not engage or contact the enamel II coating the Walls of the openings. The heads of the screws Hare adapted to directly bear on or engage the parts I2 so that tightening down of the screws may be accomplishedwithout cracking or other- Wise injuring the enamel II.. The screws I1 or other securing members may be such that their heads are entirely received or countersunk in'the openings I3. Thus the screws I1 or members seeming the enameled article to its support need not protrude from the outer surface of the article. It is believed that it will be apparent how the enameled article may be easily and quickly attached ,to a support or the like by the screws I 'I or similarA connecting members without endangering the enamel II.

The form or application of the invention disclosed in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawing Includes, generally, a base 20 having an enamel covering or coating 2|, and attaching parts 22 on the base=20.

The base 20 may be of any size and configuration, the size .and configuration of the base depending, of course, upon the character of the lenameled article. In the simple application of is a rectangular plate-like'part. The base 20 is edge 23 of the base.

preferably formed of enameling iron and is covered or coated with vitreous enamel 2|.- The. vitreous enamel 2| may be appliedto the base 2|! in the well known manner described above4 in connection with thepreviously described form of the invention. So far as the form of the invention being described is concerned, the base `2|| may be an'imperforate part as the attaching means does not necessitate the provision of openings in the base. The enamel 2| may cover all the surfaces of the base 2|I.with the exception of those surfaces -covered by theattaching parts The securing or attaching parts 22 are provided along one or more edges of the base 2U. In the typical4 case illustrated in the drawing the attaching parts 22 extend along two opposite edges of the base 20. The attaching parts 22 are elongate strips and `there may be a single part 22 extending throughout the length of each The parts 22 may be attached to either one or both of the principal surfaces of the base 20. As shown in the drawing the parts 22 are provided on what may be termed the rear side or surface of the base 2li. In accordance with the invention the parts 22 are Welded to the base 20 as at 24. The parts 22 project outwardly beyond the edges 23. The portions of the parts 22 Vprojecting beyond the edges 23 form means for facilitating the attachment or connection of the enameled article with supports or other parts. Accordingly, the projecting portions of the parts 22 may be provided with openings 25 for passing or receiving securing members such as screw bolts or the like. In the drawing I have shown longitudinally spaced openings 25 provided in the projecting portions of the parts 22. Theopenings 25 may be formed in the parts 22before the parts are welded to the base 20 or may be drilled in the parts 22 after the enamelingof the base 20.

The attaching parts' 22 are formed of a metal that is easily welded, capable of resisting high temperatures, low scaling, non-rusting, and that is flexible and readily polished. If desired or found necessary, the projecting portions of the attaching parts 22 may be bent or disposed at an angle to the base 20 as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing. The parts 22 may be bent or shaped as illustrated in Fig. either before the parts are welded to the base 20 or after the enameling of the base. The parts 22 may be readily shaped to engage supports or the like and thus facilitate the securing or mounting of the enameled article. It is to be understood that the attaching parts 22 may be polished or finished as desired. When thev parts 22 are employed to connect the enameled article with adjacent enameled articles or panels' in the same or parallel planes they may project outwardly as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing to form spacers or bands 1 at the opposite ends of the article and may be polished or finished in any other manner. The attaching parts 22 may be coated with the ground coat of enamel during the enameling process and this coat of enamel may be easilyremoved orv broken free from the parts 22, during or following the enameling process, by wiping, striking or bending themwithout endangering the `enamel on the base Illas the enamel very effectively adheres to the enamelingiron of vthel base.

In addition to the attaching parts 22 the article shown in Figs. 3, 4 .and 5 of the drawing may be the like.

ing includes, generally,

of the base so 4'the attaching parts 3| lie or desired edge or edges of the base. In. the simple form of the invention illustrated inthe draw- 26 are welded to a surface or side of the base '26 to project beyond a selected ing the lugs 26 are welded to the, rear side of the base to project beyond its upper and lower edges.- .In accordance with the invention the lugs 26 are spot welded to'the base 20 before the base is enameled.- ,The lugs 26 are preferably formed of the same metal as theA parts 22. The enamel may co'ver the surfaces of the lugs 26 and may be easily broken free from the` lugs 26 when desired without injuring the enamel on, the base 20'; As the lugs 26 are malleableor flexible they may be bent or shaped to 20 at right angles orat any other angle to facilitate the connection of the base with supports or Each lug 26 vmay be provided with one or'more openings 21 to receive securing members such as bolts, screws or the like. 21 may be lprovided in the welding of the lugs to the base 20 or following the enameling of the article. It lis believed that' it will be readily understood how the attaching parts 22 and the lugs 26 may be employed to conveniently attach. or connect the enameled articlev project from the base 2o I The openings lugs 26 before the with supports or adjacent members without cracking or otherwise injuring the vitreous enamel on the base.` Y l Figs. 6, 'z and a of the drawing iuustrate a form of the invention that is particularly `easy and convenient to handle and which have a connecting or attaching means that does not project beyond the edges .of the article. The enameled article illustrated in Figs. 6, 'l and 8 of the drawan enameled base 3|) and securing or attaching parts 3| on the base.

The base 30 may be a simple, `l plate-like rectangular part as shown in the drawing or may be of any other shape, depending upon the character of the article. The base'30 is formed of enameling iron so that the vitreous enamel effectively adheres to it. A coating or covering of vitreous enamel 32 is provided on the base 30. The enamel 32 .preferably covers all the surfaces except those portions of its surface covered by the parts 3 I. The enamel 32 may lbe vapplied to the base 30 in'the mannerdescribed above.

The attaching parts 3| are provided on what may be' termed the rear side 33 oi' the base 30. The parts 3| are elongate members or strips of iexible non-rusting, low-sealing, high temperavture resistant metal that is easy to -weld and capable of being polished. There may be as many attaching parts 3| as desired and the parts may be located as required to facilitate the connection members. In the instance illustrated in the drawing there are two parts 3| in spaced parallel or lattachment of the article to supports or other 4relation on the upper portion of the rear side 33 `r and a third partV 3| .located substantially in the middle or center portion of the rear side 33. In accordance with the invention each attaching part 3l has one end portion welded to the base 30. VThe parts 3| -are preferably spot welded to thebase 30 as at 3|. The parts 3| are welded to the base 3|) before the enameling of the base.

In accordance with this. form of the' invention at or substantially flat against the rear surface 33jof the base 30. The parts 3| are preferably, though not neces-v Sadly. not/project beyond the edges of the body. When shipped. The base coat or cover coatsv of enamely may cover the exposed surfaces of the parts 3| and may be easily broken loosev from the' parts 3| during or followinggthe enamellng process bybrushing, strikingjor bendngthe parts. The

outer or free vportions of the parts 3| may be` bent away from the base 30 when it is desired to` employ the parts to, attach or connect the base 30 .with supports or other members. The parts` p 3| may be sufficiently long so that they may be readily bent or shaped to engage supports or other members of various shapes and to assist in connecting the base 3|! with the supports. For

example, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawing a part 3| may'be bent outwardly at right angles to the f base 30, and `may then be bent to have afpart parallel with thebase 3|)` anda part projecting inwardly toward the base-so as to fit about a l support or member 1M. It is obvious, of course,

-aging or shipping of the article.

that the attaching parts 3| may be formed in various other manners to engage or `connect with supports or members of other shapes, etc. If desired or found necessary the parts 3| may be provided with one or more openings to receive bolts,.screws or other securing/members. These openings may be provided in the parts'3l either before the parts are welded to the base 30 or following the enamellng of the base.

Figs. 6, 'l and 8 of the drawing illustrate a form of the invention in which the attaching. means does not provide parts projecting from the edges of the enameledarticle to interfere with the pack- The attaching parts 3| may-be located and proportioned to constitute simple effective means for dependably attaching or .connecting the enameled article with supports' or the like.

It is believed that the utility and practicability of the articles of the present invention will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description. The invention providesvarious forms of simple effective means for dependably attach-` ing or connecting an enameled article with a. support or other part without endangering the vitreous enamel of the article. 'Ihe attaching parts welded on the base of the enameled article may be engaged, manipulated and tightened down by securing members such as screws, bolts or the like without cracking or otherwise injuring the enamel of the article. Further, the welded or attaching members may be provided with openings of Various sizes and located sodas to properly register with otheropenings in the supports or the like to facilitate the reception of the boltsor securing members without straining or bending the 4 enameled article. This' is `very important in securing enameled articles and panelsyto` their supports, etc. Theprovision of the attaching parts does not complicate the enamellng process and the parts may be very simply and inexpensively provided on the articles. If desired, the weldedon attaching'parts maycomprise borders or decorations on the edges or surfaces of the enameled article somewhat as shown in Fig. 3 of. the drawing and may be polished or, otherwise nished to provide a contrastwith the vitreous enamel of the article. 'I'he present invention completely overcomes the difllcultles.heretofore encountered in attaching and lconnecting vitreous enameled articles with their supports or other members.

It is believed that the manner of making the articles of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing detailed description of have been v pickling the assembly,

the several typical articles of the invention land their mode of manufacture.l Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, for the purpose of example, the method of procedure may be said to comprise, generally, providing twoparts 2|) and 22, assembling or connecting the' parts, placing the assembly Zilland 22 in a 'pickleibath, applying a bond or ground coat to the surfaces of the assembly 2|! and 22, applying other coats of porcelain enamel `to the lassembly/"2li and 22 asf-required, successively` firing or vitrifying `the several enamel coats, removing the enamel from one of the said parts by ilexure, or the like either during or after the enamellng process andthen employing the said part as a means for securing or attaching the other part to a support or other element. The various steps of the process just outlined set forth in detail in theforegoing description. It is to be noted, however, that the step of assembling or connecting the parts of the article by lWelding permits'the ilexure of the attaching part relative to the base to readily break the enamel joint between the parts and to remove the vitreous enamel from the fastening or attaching part without endangering or injuring the enamel on the other part or base during or following the enamellng process. The steps of applying the enamel coats and the firing of the vitreous enamel in carrying out the enamellng process are not in any way,30

complicated by the presence of the attaching or fastening part or parts of the article. tachingpart or parts being flexible and malleable form a convenient means for attaching or securing the vitreous enameled vbase to another element or assembly.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention I do not wish to be limited or restricted tothe specific details herein set forth, but Wish to reserve to 'myself any variations or modifications that may appear to` those skilled in the art or of the following claims:

Having described myinvention, I claim:

1. An article of manufacture comprising a metallic base, a connecting part connected directly with the basetofacilitate the connection of the base with an object, and a vitreous enamel covering on the base, the said part having a low adherence to enamel and being flexible whereby enamel adhering to fall Within the 4scope 2. An article of manufacture including a metallic base having a coating of vitrifled enamel, and a part oi' metal to which vitreous enamel will not readily adhere attached directly to the base and projecting beyond an edge thereof to facilitate the connection of the base' with an object.

3. An article of manufacture including a metallic base having a coating of -vitrified enamel,

c a part of metal towhich vitreous enamelwill not readily adhere attached directly to the `base and extending longitudinally-along 'one edge of the it may be readily brokenl therefrom to leave the surface of the part clean.

The atbaseand projecting outwardly beyond said edge to facilitate the connection of the article .with `an object.

5. An article of manufacture including a metalobject, there being longitudinally spaced openings in the projecting portion ofthe said part to receive securing parts.

6. An article of manufacture comprisinga. me-

' tallic base having an opening, a coating of vitrified enamel on the base, and a part permanently and directly attached to the base and extending across the opening to facilitate theattachment of the article to an object, said part being formed of metal having a low adherence to vitreous enamel. Y

'7. An article of manufacture comprising a metallic base having an opening, a coating of vitried enamel on the base, and a part integrally joined directly to the 'base and extending across the opening, the part having an opening to receive a securing member, and being formed of metal to which vitreous enamel will not readily adhere.

8. An article of manufacture comprising a me' tallic base having an opening, a coating of vitried enamel on the base, and a part of metal having a low adherence to vitreous enamelwelded to a surface of the base to cover one end of the opening, the part having an opening registering with the first mentioned opening and adapted to' rceive a securing member, said part being free of enamel at the margin of its opening.

9. An article of manufacture comprising a metallic base,a coating of vitriiied enamel on the base, and a iiexible securing part ofl metal having a low adherence to vitreous enamel attached diflexed outwardly therefrom to form an attaching end portion A facilitate the connection of the base with an object.

- not readily adhere. connected directly to the base rectly to a surface of the base and adapted to be tab.

10. An article of manufacture comprising a metallic base, a coating of vitried enamel on the base. and a flexible securing part of'metal having a low adherence to vitreous enamel having one secured directly to a surface of the base so that its opposite end portion may be flexed outward to form an attaching tab.

11. A vitreous enameled article comprising a metallic base covered with enamel, and a vflexible part of metal having'a low adherence yto vitreous enamel integrally connected with the base and proiectinggtherefrom to facilitate the connection of the article with an object, the projecting portion of the part being angularly disposed relative to the base. r

12. As an article of manufacture, a. vitreous enameled metallic base, and a part of rust resistant metal to which vitreous enamel will not readily adhere, welded directly to the base to 13. A vitreous enameled article comprising a metallic base covered with enamel. and a flexible metallic part to which vitreous enamel will not readily adhere, integrally connected directly with the base and projecting therefrom to facilitate the connection of the article with an object.

14. A vitreous enameled article comprising a metallic base covered with enamel, and a part of rust resistant metal to which vitreous enamel will and projecting therefrom to facilitate the connection of the article with an object.

1 JOSEPH T. PENTON. 

